Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698945399583.pdf (South Africa)
USING LAW TO ADDRESS THE SCOURGE OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE IN SOUTH AFRICA Presentation to: The National Council of Provinces: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, 28 July 2020 Prof Rachel Jewkes, Executive Scientist: Research Strategy and Intramural Research, South African Medical Research Council Prof Naeemah Abrahams, Director: Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council Prevalence of GBV and Femicide Drivers Prevention & the role of law Conclusions What do we mean by gender-based violence and femicide?
Intimate femicide Intimate partner violence: physical, sexual, emotional, economic Non-partner sexual violence incl.

rape, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment Other forms of GBV: trafficking for sex, child marriage, ukuthwala etc SCALE OF THE PROBLEM : Women's experience of physical or sexual violence in the past 12 months (data from research studies conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls?
Global Programme) % 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 * Only physical IPV South Africa (informal settlement) Bangladesh DRC Tajikistan oPT Nepal Ghana South Africa (2016 DHS) National figure from 2016 South Africa Demographic & Health Survey 20 YEARS OF SAMRC’S NATIONAL FEMICIDE STUDIES 1999 2009 2017 2020 Planned Research conducted in 2 stages: 1: Collect data at a nationally selected sample of mortuaries on unnatural deaths 2: Collect data from police on each case Intimate Femicide in South Africa • 1999: Four women a day killed by a current or ex husband and boyfriend • 2009 : Three women per day are murdered by their current/ex boyfriend or husband • 2017 : Preliminary data suggests it is between 3-4 women killed every day (higher than 2009) Femicide in South Africa: 1999, 2009 & 2017 (preliminary data) Intimate femicides as a % of all female homicides 58.0% 57.1% 50.3% 1999 2009 2017 60.0% 58.0% 56.0% 54.0% 52.0% 50.0% 48.0% 46.0% 44.0% Global IF as a proportion of all femicides = 36% The 2017 Injury Mortality Study (IMS) included all injury deaths: Data collection complete Drivers of violence against women Key interventions on drivers • Poverty reduction and enhancing school completion for girls and boys • Measures to promote gender equality and action against violence of all forms including children • Vigorous gun control • Reduction in harmful alcohol use • Extension of funding for mental health services and support for programmes with lay counselling • Much more vigorous enforcement of protection of children • Parenting programmes and support for vulnerable parents • Programmes to build gender equity and counter the use of violence throughout the community Table of What Works?
based on an in-depth review of the physical/sexual IPV prevention field 2019 Legislative contribution • This can be made in respect of reducing all of the drivers of violence through laws, promoting policies and ensuring oversight • Part of the portfolio for action lies in the domain of the CJS.
We welcome new sexual offences courts and the Person Identification and Verification Application system at police stations to apprehend ‘persons of interest’ as well as proposed reforms allowing for online applications for child maintenance and protection orders, as well as legislative amendments • Very important contribution for Parliament with respect to interventions to address drivers of violence Ten measures to support ending GBV and femicide 1.

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Basic income grant to reduce most severe poverty Enhancing school completion : resourcing pre-school education, teenage pregnancy prevention, homework support, oversight of DBE measures to prevent drop out before matric, action to ensure school year is not lost from Covid Gun, alcohol and drug control : enforcement of existing measures, oversight of and prevention of corruption, action on illegal guns, measures to reduce harmful alcohol use and drugs Resources for evidence-based prevention programmes to change harmful masculinities e.g.
Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Resources for mental health programmes, in the health sector and through community- level interventions including psychotherapy from lay counsellors Funding for shelters, parenting programmes for vulnerable parents, more efficient maintenance, protection orders etc Stronger enforcement of existing legislation, and judicial review of sentencing Effective Parliamentary oversight of the National Council on GBV and Femicide and its work in implementing the National Strategic Plan Ensure that resources are allocated from National Treasury for measures required for GBV and femicide prevention Ensure solid research foundation to guide the prevention strategy and monitor and evaluate its impact 3.
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Conclusions • Prevention of intimate femicide requires measures to prevent gender-based violence overall • Research shows that prevention of gender-based violence before the acts occur is possible in the short to medium term • There is a very important legislative role in this that encompasses measures in the criminal justice system but has a far wider reach with measures across a number of areas of the social cluster • We are confident after 3 decades of research on GBV and femicide about measures needed for prevention It is essential that we have political support and funding •